Sony Ericsson Xperia Active Sim Free Mobile Phone and LiveView remote screen - Black

Bought this phone to replace a HTC HD2 that finally died, had it for a little over 3 months. Since I was spending a big chunk of change (I'm a student) on a phone rather than stringing out the investment with a contract, I wanted something that performed well without any reliance on firmware or android updates. I also wanted a removable battery and back cover (so it could cool down if there were any overheating problems). Considering the size of my previous device, I looked at the SE Arc S, a refurbished Galaxy SII, the SE Xperia Ray and finally the Xperia Active.My biggest misgiving was that my big hands would prohibit typing or use of the relatively small screen. This hasn't been a problem in the slightest. The screen if anything is easier to operate than that of the HD2 (with 4.3") versus the Active's 3.0", because the phone is smaller and can be operated with one hand quite easily. Sony have clearly done their homework, this thing really sits in the hand well, unlike thinner, wider handsets that cut too deep into the base of your thumb, this unit is a little chunkier and curved more ergonomically -- the result being that you can text as fast as you would on an old Nokia 3210.For every day use, the phone is fantastic. I can't speak to the Ice Cream Sandwich update -- I wanted a phone that works and I know that Android v2.3 (which comes installed in the phone with a few tweaks from Sony) is tried and tested. The tweaks are very helpful too, simple but often absent from other takes on the Android OS. Most useful for me have been the ability to access hardware functions from a pre-placed panel (notably turning down the display from brightest to medium, very useful for conserving battery life), and the ability to sort applications by date installed as well as alphabetically. No more searching through 50 apps for the one you thought was useful and installed recently, but can't for the life of you remember the name.Performance is excellent. To save yourself time, install Perfect Keyboard Free and the Dolphin Browser from the market / play store. The included keyboard uses an old predictive algorithm that behaves like some sort of 90s speech recognition software. The included browser is actually alright, but more than 3 tabs taxes it and Dolphin's UI is better developed. These are the only modifications I've made to the otherwise well specced user interface. I've had no real hangups with storage so far save for the old 'low internal storage' biscuit, forever to plague Android users - SE has ironed out all the other transition issues with moving applications between phone storage and the microSD. Apps install incredibly quickly and storage can be managed almost instantly (I'm using a 32gb sd card, so you'd expect to be sat for at least 5 minutes waiting for the list to compile) - not so with this phone. Multitasking ability is good with no freezes or problems discovered so far either. I've had a 7gb 1080p mkv file (formatted for the screen by the software, naturally) playing back, taken a call mid-way through, received various whatsapp messages and not had to reboot once.Good thing too, because this phone is built tough. Just removing the charging port cover has been enough to make me stop biting my nails, to get the battery out requires you then remove two waterproof layers, a tight outer shell and a sealed inner plate. I've taken this phone for a dip in a well chlorinated pool, dropped it in the bath and picked up a call in the showers. I sail too, and this is the first phone I've been able to jam in my buoyancy aid's front pocket without a faffy protective case. Took a dip in salt water, not a problem. Obviously this isn't to be repeated too many times because the small seal will eventually break -- but its good to know its not something to worry about, and for less adventurous users its every-day-life proof. Considering the light weight and the plastic build its a very resilient bit of kit.The downsides, though minor, should always be mentioned.#1 The screen is a little small if you want to browse websites. If however you're just looking at text, the software will auto-format about 80-90% of websites so that it fits in the screen for you to read without zooming.#2 The battery life. As with all smart phones, the biggest drain on the battery is the screen. That said, power is much better than the HD2 I had before and my friend's Galaxy S2. The size, the efficiency of the Bravia tech and the ease of turning it down when full brightness isn't required increase battery life to a usable level. Charging was a problem because larger devices would drain my laptop's battery (I don't use a car and often there isn't a plug around) - but with this phone it trickle charges from USB just fine when it needs a top up or to just hold at a level whilst I'm using the WiFi to give me a connection for my laptop. I don't have a problem with it because I mostly use phones for texting, calling, facebook and email. Anything hardware intensive and I'll use an actual computer. Demanding more from these units considering the fact that they do what desktop PCs could do in 2006 is just silly.#3 The light sensor, designed to turn off the screen when you're in a call and your phone is to your ear -- can be a pain in the arse if you're mid call / on hold and want to check incoming messages. Just requires a very accurate movement of the thumb to drag down the top notification bar without activating the sensor.#4 A really minor point -- the second waterproof shell / back cover thats included (the white one) is made of a slightly cheaper material than the standard black. It seems just as tough, but the coating is slipperier in the hand.Aside from these minor issues, I have nothing bad to say about the Xperia Active. Its tough, the internet reception is excellent (HSDPA connects very quickly from boot, and switches to GPRS and EDGE in lower reception areas seamlessly), tethering works great, audio clarity is crisp and the display is pin sharp considering its relatively low resolution. The GPS works with various applications and has helped me navigate my way through some mountains near Cumbria when the fog and heavy rain rolled in, as well as recording my 5k progress with the included SportyPal software. The unit looks great, feels great and operates flawlessly. Considering all the hangups of the various smart phone models (size, battery life, usability) I never thought I'd live down the £200 investment -- but hand on heart its been worth every penny so far. I can thoroughly recommend the SE Xperia Active.

Guys, they're selling illegal items under the shed of being a "Giant" in online shopping. Don't want to add a single "star" to the rating but its mandatory so I have to be generous and mark 1.Here is what I have gone through with this product-Was planning of buying a good android device since long and Ultimately decided on this one being tough and latest android version. Now, thinking of where to buy from?? OBVIOUSLY AMAZON..this is the thing I heard from myself as I (used to, NOT ANY MORE NOW) consider Amazon as the most reliable option for any such purchases.So, here's the story, I ordered it on last Sunday 10th June and received it on this Thursday 14th of June.1) It was packed in a brown Amazon.com box(this packing was good) and inside was the cellphone box WITHOUT any seal. As I have bought a cellphone as such from Amazon for the first time, so I ignored this (probably this was my biggest mistake)and out of the "excitement" opened the box.2) As it was without any SIM but with a memory card, there was still a number saved with name "Myself" +441002513452.3) After seeing this, my "suspect" eye opened and tried to figure out something else which proves this is a ILLEGAL item. Being involved with job at working day (Friday) I wasn't able to check out the stuff.4) Yesterday I connected it with my gmail account and on Google Play it says "Vodafone Sony Ericsson Xperia S17i". THE PICTURE IS CLEAR.The number +441002513452 is a Vodafone number, Amazon people bought it from Vodafone , got it unlocked some how, re-sealed it and sold it off to me.So, to raise this I went on the chat option at Amazon's website (as I wanted the conversation in written and the conversation via email would have taken much time) and was connected to Johann who at first was not ready to accept that this has happened and when I went strong, he only gave 2 options Replacement and Refund (Brave people, they can REPLACE illegal items). When I asked him to hand over to his manager (name being April), he had a talk with her and came back again with same thing that this can't happen (as if I'm lying).When I insisted, the same chat was forwarded to April and she said the same 2 words again - Replace / Refund. When I said its not as simple as that, you're selling a illegal item. Then she said yours is a "isolated" case and should not have happened ideally (but they have the same "normal" solution which is Replace / Refund for isolated cases as well). Then the argument was that they can also check the stock if something faulty is present (HOW WILL IT HELP ME BY CHECKING YOU "STOCK"?). It was really disgusting, irritating, disappointing to see same 2 words for more than a hour from employee and the supervisor as well. I have got the necessary photos and screenshots with me to file a case and she said that the issue is reported to the higher department and I should be receiving response within next 24 hours (lets see what happens). I'll update the review with the future updates on this.I'm shocked looking at such cheap act from Amazon and training the Customer Care guys with only 2 words which they keep telling in different forms adding "I Apologize" and "I Understand" to this.Not sure for how long this review will still remain active and visible on Amazon but I want to warn all you people out there who are risking their hard earned money by buying illegal items from here.

First one I recieved had dust behind the screen, this was swiftly replaced by amazon(well done). Second one had issue with sporadically vibrating, making it unusable while it was vibrating, when taking it out of your pocket. I decided to keep it and wait to see if it would be solved by an update. After 2 months, an update never came(not released for uk users) and the vibrating issue was not changed it places where they recieved the update.I contacted sony, who said it was most likely faulty. At the same time the camera button didnt press corectly(although right before I sent it back, it popped back into life.)Maybe I was unlucky as when it worked, it worked. I went for the xperia go and although it is better looking, it doesnt quite have the ruggedness and pocketability of this handset. A real shame, but I wasnt going to try a third time.Also, just to note. It comes with a magnitude of goodies in the box. Including spare white back cover, layard, smart watch with strap, spare screen protector (comes with one pre applied) and arm band.

Returned the phone after a week due to it having "vibrating spasms" of its own accord, the replacement has so far only done this once... If you google this fault, it was surprisingly common with no available software fix.Apart from this annoyance it's a nice solid outdoors type phone.

Tough and Nice design, poor battery life.The battery lasts less than 1 day when you enable 3G or Wifi.To use all day long you need additional during day charge otherwise you will be with no cellphone at end of the day.